Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) on the same day that Queensland Police Commissioner, Ms Katarina Carroll, said it was inappropriate to suggest the murder of a woman and her children by her husband could be an instance of a husband being driven too far, Ms Bettina Arndt, who received an Order of Australia honour in January, nonetheless said "keeping an open mind and awaiting proper evidence, including the possibility that Rowan Baxter might have been driven too far",

  (ii) the statement of Ms Arndt has the potential to bring the Order of Australia, instituted by Her Majesty The Queen, into disrepute, and

  (iii) Order of Australia awards are a privilege and an honour and come with responsibilities; and

(b) agrees that:

  (i) Ms Arndt's comments are reckless and abhorrent, and

  (ii) the values that underpin Ms Arndt's views on this horrific family violence incident are not consistent with her retaining her Order of Australia.